The Big Hand Squeeze
Content Standards Accomplished:
Grade 4
Computation and Estimation: 9, 12
Patterns, Relations, and Functions: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Data Collection: 1, 2, 3, 4,
Statistical Methods: 6
Let's conduct an experiment. We will pass a "hand squeeze" around a circle and measure the amount of time that it takes for the hand squeeze to pass around the circle.
Collect the Data
Start with two students at the front of the room. (You're eventually going to
need enough space for everyone in the class to get in a circle) Have the two
students hold hands. When the timekeeper says "now" the first person should
squeeze the hand of the second person who then squeezes the other hand
of the first person. The last person will say "now" when she feels the hand
squeeze come back to her. Record that data in the table below. Now add two
more students to the circle and repeat the process, passing the hand squeeze
around the circle. Record that time and repeat the process with two more
students.
Continue the experiment, recording the time each time until everyone has joined the circle. Have everyone try to pass the squeeze as quickly as they feel it, maintaining the same rate of speed. If someone messes up, it's okay to disregard that time and repeat the experiment.
Organize the Data:
1. Open Appleworks
2. Click on SPREADSHEET
3. Name column A Number of Students
4. Name column B Number of seconds
5. Enter the numbers below into your spreadsheet under the Number of Students column.
6. As you continue the experiment, enter the data under the Number of Seconds column.
| Number of Students | Number of Seconds |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 4 | |
| 6 | |
| 8 | |
| 10 | |
| 12 | |
| 14 | |
| 16 | |
| 18 | |
| 20 | |
| 22 | |
| 24 | |
| 26 |
Graph
the Data :
Make a graph of the data by plotting the above points, letting the x axis represent the number of students and the y axis represent the number of seconds. Do this on separate paper.
You can also create a line graph using the computer!
1. Highlight all the data you enter into the spreadsheet: Click, hold and drag=highlight
2. Click on OPTIONS from the menu bar
3. Scroll to MAKE GRAPH
4. Choose LINE GRAPH
Analyze the Data:
- Should we connect the points to make a solid graph? Why or why not?
- Are the points scattered all around the plane or do the points tend to
be a certain shape?
- Make a prediction: Based upon the data collected, how many seconds would it take to pass the hand squeeze around a circle of 100 people? How many minutes?
Extended Ideas:
Imagine students lined up from one end of Westlake to the other. How long would it take to pass the hand squeeze all the way there? You can use a map from the Westlake Website. Click on Maps and directions to find the distance.